"I think the closeness of the players [impressed me], how tight our team is at the moment. That's the hardest part is getting everyone to play for each other and the fitness."
He said both the premier team and the reserve team would take plenty of confidence into the opening round of the season on Saturday.
"We want to become a champion team again so we have to start the season well," he said.
During the premier nines final on Saturday, it was not until five minutes from time that the game really kicked into life.
Taupo Phoenix were leading 6-0 but were unable to find a way over the tryline to kill off the game.
Pacific player Delaney Takiri collected a nice offload on half way and scampered away to score a try under the posts, putting his side in the lead. Taupo fought back strongly though. With about two minutes left on the clock Taupo looked like they had won the game when Tautua Taotofi finished off a nice try in the corner.
However, with less than a minute on the clock, the ball found its way to Pacific player Yannis Mea.
He broke the Taupo line with some quick feet and dashed 30m down the field, before being tackled on the Taupo 20m line.
Pacific shifted the ball to the left and Phayde Daniels went in unmarked to score the winning try, taking the game 11-10.
The hooter sounded in the background and the celebrations began for the Pacific side.
Meanwhile, in the reserve grade final, Pacific were too fit and fast for Reporoa.
Standout players included Mea, who played in both finals for the Pacific Sharks, and young speedster Manu Alaelua.
He scored two tries and set one up, helping his side win the reserve final 31-11.
